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Papastrat KM, Lis CA, Caprioli D, Pickard H, Puche AC, Ramsey LA, Venniro M. Social odor choice buffers drug craving. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:731-739. [PMID: 38129664 PMCID: PMC10876954 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01778-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions are rewarding and protective against substance use disorders, but it is unclear which specific aspect of the complex sensory social experience drives these effects. Here, we investigated the role of olfactory sensory experience on social interaction, social preference over cocaine, and cocaine craving in rats. First, we conducted bulbectomy on both male and female rats to evaluate the necessity of olfactory system experience on the acquisition and maintenance of volitional social interaction. Next, we assessed the effect of bulbectomy on rats given a choice between social interaction and cocaine. Finally, we evaluated the influence of olfactory sensory experience by training rats on volitional partner-associated odors, assessing their preference for partner odors over cocaine to achieve voluntary abstinence and assessing its effect on the incubation of cocaine craving. Bulbectomy impaired operant social interaction without affecting food and cocaine self-administration. Rats with intact olfactory systems preferred social interaction over cocaine, while rats with impaired olfactory sense showed a preference for cocaine. Providing access to a partner odor in a choice procedure led to cocaine abstinence, preventing incubation of cocaine craving, in contrast to forced abstinence or non-contingent exposure to cocaine and partner odors. Our data suggests the olfactory sensory experience is necessary and sufficient for volitional social reward. Furthermore, the active preference for partner odors over cocaine buffers drug craving. Based on these findings, translational research should explore the use of social sensory-based treatments utilizing odor-focused foundations for individuals with substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M Papastrat
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cody A Lis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniele Caprioli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
| | - Hanna Pickard
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Philosophy & Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam C Puche
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Marco Venniro
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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